Our Garden of Remembrance - Remembrance Day 2018

Written By ROSE DOTTEN

This incredible community initiative is a special Commemorative project for all those who served their country in times of war. On a visit to Australia, Rose Dotten, CEO of Shelburne Public Library saw volunteers working on knitting and crocheting poppies at the Ian Potter Centre in Melbourne, Australia. Upon investigating further, Rose asked about this project and discovered that it was part of a special project, 5000 Poppies to commemorate ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps)Day.

What an outstanding community project this would be for Shelburne and the surrounding community, drawing everyone together as a mark of respect for our Veterans. A proposal was written to the Royal Canadian Legion in Ottawa; once the permission was received, David Barr, a beloved and highly respected member of the local Legion, along with Rose Dotten introduced the project at a meeting and immediately a partnership was formed between the Shelburne Public Library and the Legion. The Library spearheaded the volunteer force to create the Poppies and Anne Crowder, a dedicated Volunteer, organized the patterns, the yarn, and distribution. Anne prepared over 100 kits to distribute to any member of the community who wanted to participate.

In short order, more than 100 community members, seniors, shut-ins, and friends of library and Legion participants, knit and crocheted poppies. Everyone was excited to be part of this special Remembrance Day tribute. Our target of 1000 poppies is within reach. One of our volunteers, George Bricker, cut and drilled all of the sticks for the stems (1000 of those) and built 30 special display units in which the poppies will be “planted”.The lumber for these was donated by Archbolds in Orangeville.

The next task is to paint all 1000 stems, and so far, Rose, as well as Diane, and Jim Worobec have completed over 600; during the next few days, the rest will be completed out at Rose's workshop. It is a messy business!

This culmination of community spirit and respect will be at the Shelburne Cenotaph at the Remembrance Day Service on November 11. Please join the service and admire the 2018 Garden of Remembrance.

It is important to note that we were granted permission to use the Poppy trademark as long as we did not distribute or authorize these poppies to be worn on lapels and also that no money would be involved. Special Library project donations were used to purchase the yarn and all the work was done by volunteers.